Work machine with a saddle frame assembly

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure includes a work machine comprising a main frame, a draft frame, a circle frame, a blade, a saddle frame assembly, and at least one actuator. The saddle frame assembly is coupled to the main frame. An actuator coupled to the saddle frame moves the blade relative to the main frame. The saddle frame assembly may include a movable portion and a fixed portion. The movable portion may include an upper first portion coupled to the lower second portion. The upper first portion includes wall defining a channel configured to receive the fixed portion, thereby enabling rotation of the movable portion about the fixed portion. The channel is configured to self-align the first portion relative to the fixed portion when the upper first portion is adjusted relative to the lower second portion in a lateral direction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

N/A

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to work machines a blade. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a saddle frame assembly of the work machine.

BACKGROUND

Motor graders have a blade for moving earth or other material. There are known motor graders that have a main frame, or chassis, to which a draft frame is attached via a ball-and-socket joint, a saddle frame attached to the main frame, a number of hydraulic cylinders (e.g.

three) interconnecting the saddle frame and the draft frame for raising and lowering the sides of the draft frame and moving the draft frame from side-to-side about the ball-and-socket joint, a circle frame rotatably attached to the draft frame, and a blade support having a tilt frame that is attached to the circle frame for rotation therewith and to which the blade is mounted. The tilt frame is pivoted to the circle frame to change the pitch of the blade in response to actuation of a hydraulic cylinder. One or more actuators are coupled to the saddle frame and blade to roll the blade from side-to-side. The saddle frame assembly consists of two parts, a fixed part and a movable part. The movable rotating part encircles the fixed part and rotates to support movement of the blade in response to actuation of the hydraulic cylinders. A conventional configuration of the interface between the fixed part and the movable part include a rectangular profile. This form of coupling the two parts may lead to wear over time, and reduced precision of movement of the blade. This looseness resulting from wear in rough grading operations is not a hindrance to the performance of that particular operation but can become an issue if the grader is then moved to a super fine-grading task. The looseness may also cause discomfort to an operator because of excess noise generated. Current methods comprise of adding shims between subcomponents of the moveable part to eliminate the looseness. However, this may lead to improvement in only a single direction. Therein lies an area for improvement of the contact area between the fixed and movable part.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the detailed description and accompanying drawings. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the appended claims, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the appended claims.

The present disclosure includes a work machine comprising a main frame, a draft frame, a circle frame, a blade, a saddle frame assembly, and at least one actuator. The draft frame is coupled to the main frame. The circle frame is rotatably coupled to the draft frame and is rotatable by a circle drive. The blade is coupled to the circle frame. The circle drive includes actuators configured to move the blade. The saddle frame assembly is coupled to the main frame. An actuator coupled to the saddle frame moves the blade relative to the main frame. The saddle frame assembly may include a movable portion and a fixed portion. The movable portion may include an upper first portion coupled to the lower second portion. The upper first portion includes wall defining a channel configured to receive the fixed portion, thereby enabling rotation of the movable portion about the fixed portion. The channel is configured to self-align the first portion relative to the fixed portion when the upper first portion is adjusted relative to the lower second portion in a lateral direction.

In another aspect of the disclosure, the channel continues to self-align the first upper portion relative to the fixed with wear of at least a portion of the interface between the movable portion and the fixed portion. Adjustment of the upper first portion relative to the lower second portion may comprise of adding shims between the upper first portion and the lower second portion.

In one embodiment, the channel may comprise spaced apart sidewalls and a round contact surface coupling the sidewalls. In another embodiment, the round contact surface of the fixed portion is blunted

In another embodiment, the channel comprises spaced apart sidewalls and angular contact surfaces coupling the sidewalls. In another embodiment, the angular contact surfaces create one or more of a triangular channel and v-shaped channel.

In yet another embodiment, the channel may comprise of spaced apart sidewalls and an obround dovetail contact.

In yet another embodiment, the channel comprises spaced apart sidewalls, and at least one third wall coupling the spaced apart sidewalls, wherein an interface of the fixed portion with the channel creates at least one principal stress point on the at least one third wall. The principal stress point may be on the at least third wall.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the above-mentioned embodiments may be inversed wherein the fixed portion includes the walls defining a channel configured to receive the upper first portion relative to the fixed portion when the upper first portion is adjusted relative to the second lower portion in a lateral direction.

These and other features will become apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, wherein various features are shown and described by way of illustration. The present disclosure is capable of other and different configurations and its several details are capable of modification in various other respects, all without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the detailed description and accompanying drawings are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive or limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description of the drawings refers to the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a work machine in the form of, for example, a motor grader;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevated view of the fore portion of the motor grader;

FIG. 3 is a detailed exploded view of the saddle assembly with a portion of the mainframe;

FIG. 4 is the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 with shims applied;

FIG. 5A is the cross-sectional view of a portion shown in FIG. 2 of a first embodiment of an improved saddle assembly;

FIG. 5B is the cross-sectional view of a portion shown in FIG. 2 of a first embodiment of an improved saddle assembly;

FIG. 5C is the cross-sectional view of a portion shown in FIG. 2 of a first embodiment of an improved saddle assembly;

FIG. 5D is the cross-sectional view of a portion shown in FIG. 2 of a first embodiment of an improved saddle assembly;

FIG. 5E is the cross-sectional view of a portion shown in FIG. 2 of a first embodiment of an improved saddle assembly; and

FIG. 6A is a first alternative embodiment of the cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6B is a second alternative embodiment of the cross-section view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5A.

Like reference numerals are used to indicate like elements throughout the several figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiments disclosed in the above drawings and the following detailed description are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to these embodiments. Rather, there are several variations and modifications which may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates a work machine 100 with a blade 110 for moving material. As an exemplary embodiment, the work machine 100 is illustrated and described below as a motor grader.

In this motor grader example, the work machine 100 has a rear section 105 and a front section 115. The rear section 105 and front section 115 are articulated to one another for relative movement about an articulation axis at the articulation joint. The rear section has an engine compartment containing an engine for propulsion of the work machine and operation of an onboard actuation system.

The front section 115 has a main frame 120, or chassis, supporting other structures of the front section 115. A pair of front wheels 125 supports the frame above the ground. The operator's station 130, from which an operator can control operation of the vehicle, is mounted on the main frame 120. A draft frame 135 is attached to the main frame 120 via a ball-and-socket joint 140 near the front of the main frame 120. A circle frame 145 is rotatably attached to the draft frame 135 near the rear of the draft frame 135. The circle frame 145 has a circle gear 150 rotatable by a circle drive 155 (e.g. hydraulic motor with pinion gear) mounted to the draft frame 135.

Actuators 160 (every actuator may not be identified) in the form of, for example, hydraulic cylinders are configured to move the blade 110, as shown, for example, in FIG. 1. Left and right lift actuators (160 a and 160 b) are coupled to a saddle frame assembly 200 which are coupled to the main frame 120 (left lift actuator, for example, shown in FIG. 1). One or more circle rotate actuators 160 c are further coupled to the left and rights side of the draft frame 135 to facilitate blade rotation about a draft frame center axis. A frame-side-shift actuator 160 e is coupled to the saddle frame 165 and attached to the draft frame 135. A tilt actuator 160 d is coupled at opposite ends thereof to the circle frame 145 and the tilt frame to pivot the support, and thus the blade 110. A blade-side-shift actuator 160 e is coupled to the tilt frame and the blade 110 in a conventional manner to sideshift the blade 110 relative to a blade support. One or more of these actuators (160 a-160 e) are coupled to the saddle frame 165 and move the blade relative to the mainframe.

The blade 110 can be a blade as shown. The blade 110 exemplarily includes a longitudinal main plate, a bottom cutting edge bolted to and extending along a bottom of the main plate and two side cutting edges bolted to and extending along left and right side edges of the main plate, at a left and right sides of the blade 110, respectively.

Now turning to FIG. 3 through 5, a saddle frame assembly 200 coupled to the main frame 120 comprises of a movable portion 205 and a fixed portion 210. The movable portion 205 includes an upper first portion 215 coupled to a lower second portion 220. FIGS. 3 and 4 detail an exploded view of the components wherein the movable portion 205 encircles the fixed portion 210 and rotates at or about a central axis 225. In this first embodiment of the saddle frame assembly 200, the upper first portion 215 of the movable portion 205 includes walls 230 (shown in FIGS. 5A-56) defining a channel 235 along an inner surface 240 of the movable portion 205. This channel 235 is configured to receive the fixed portion 210 enabling rotation of the movable portion 205 about the fixed portion 210. The lower second portion 220 also includes walls 230 defining a channel 235 configured to receive the fixed portion 210. When the upper first portion 215 and the lower second portion 220 are coupled, the channel 235 (also referred to herein as groove) create one continuous ring-like loop. This channel 235 is configured to self-align the upper first portion 210 and the lower second portion 220 (i.e. the movable portion 205 in this embodiment) relative to the fixed portion 210 in a lateral direction 250 when the upper first portion 210 is adjusted relative to the lower second portion 220 in a vertical direction 253. This channel 235 may see wear with use over time caused by loads from movement of the blade 110. This channel 235 may see wear with use over time caused by movement of the movable portion 205 about the fixed portion 210, wherein wearing of the interface 255 (also referred to as coupling of the movable portion 205 and the fixed portion) develop gaps and loosen. Conventional saddle frame assemblies use a rectangular channel or an L-shaped interface channel. Wear may lead to inefficiencies in the structural balance of the saddle frame assembly 200, reduce fine accuracies during grade control, and create excess noise during operation. These conventional approaches to reduce this looseness of the interface 255, or fixed portion 210 and movable portion 205 coupling, include the addition of shims between the upper first portion 215 and the lower second portion 220 (shown as an exploded view in FIG. 4). Note that the looseness refers to excess clearance beyond the clearance required for the rotational movement of the movable portion 205 at the interface 255. The addition of shims 260 may reduce the frequency of disassembly and assembly of the subcomponents of the saddle frame assembly in its entirety, and/or increase the longevity of the optimal performance.

As additional wear may occur through continued use, more shims 260 may be added. Addition of shims 260 may be done through a time-consuming approach of disassembling of the saddle frame 200; typically requiring removal of bolts 265 (i.e. the coupling mechanism shown as bolts or an alternative coupling mechanism), and subsequently removing the upper first portion 215 and adding shims 260 before reassembling. In some configurations, the addition of shims 260 may simply require loosening the coupling mechanism (in the present instance the coupling mechanism are bolts 260) creating as space for insertion of shims between the upper first portion 215 and the lower second portion 220 and subsequently tightening the bolts 265. This modification may be customized with varying the number and/or width of shims 260 based on the amount of adjustment required. However, this approach of adding shims 260 may resolve any issues related to wear of the saddle frame assembly by reducing looseness in only a vertical direction 253. However, it fails to address the wear in the lateral direction 250.

The following embodiments (FIGS. 5A-5E) of the movable portion 205 and fixed portion 210 assembly advantageously enables self-alignment of the outer portion 270 (i.e. the movable portion 205 in this first embodiment) with the inner portion 275 (i.e. the fixed portion 210 in this first embodiment). More specifically, the following embodiments advantageously enables self-alignment of the outer portion 270 with the inner portion 275 in both the radial direction 245 and the lateral direction 250 of the saddle frame assembly 200 when making adjustments of the upper first portion 215 and the lower second portion 220 in the vertical direction 253 (e.g. inclusion of shims 260 described above). This addresses the afore-mentioned inefficiencies, wherein the improvements include reduction of free movement in the lateral direction 250, improved performance and reduction of noise in the work machine.

FIG. 5A shows a cross-sectional view of a portion of the movable portion 205 and fixed portion 210 in a first embodiment. The movable portion 205 of the saddle frame assembly 200 comprises a channel 235 wherein the channel 235 includes spaced apart sidewalls 280 and relatively shallow angular contact surfaces 285 coupling the sidewalls 280. The halves of the channel 235 mirror one another as shown. The fixed portion 210 coupling with the moveable portion 205 comprise a rounded contact surface 295. The sidewalls 280 for the various configurations shown may be parallel, although not required.

FIG. 5B shows a cross-sectional view of a portion of the movable portion 205 and the fixed portion 210 in a second embodiment. The movable portion 205 of the saddle frame assembly 200 comprises a channel 235 with spaced apart sidewalls 280 and a round contact surface 295 coupling the sidewalls 280. In this embodiment, the round contact surface 295 comprises a portion of an arc coupled to ends of sidewalls 280. The fixed portion 210 coupling with the moveable portion 205 also comprises a rounded contact surface 295, with a smaller arch than the channel 235.

FIG. 5C shows a cross-sectional view of a portion of the movable portion 205 and fixed portion 210 in a third embodiment. Similar to the first embodiment in FIG. 5A, the channel 235 comprises spaced apart sidewalls 280 coupled with angular contact surfaces 285. However, in this embodiment, the fixed portion 210 also comprises angular contact surfaces 285, thereby increasing the surface contact area at the interface 255.

FIG. 5D, similar to FIG. 5B, shows a cross-sectional view of a portion of the movable portion 205 and fixed portion 210 in a fourth embodiment. In this embodiment, the round contact surface 295 of the fixed portion 210 is blunted thereby increasing the contact area at the interface 255.

FIG. 5E shows a cross-sectional view of a portion of the movable portion 205 and fixed portion in a fifth embodiment, wherein the interface 255 includes a single dovetail contact surface 297.

FIG. 6A is an alternative embodiment of the cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5A. This inversion comprises the fixed portion 210 with walls 230 defining a channel 235 configured to receive and enable rotation of the movable portion 205 about the fixed portion 210, the channel 235 configured to self-align the upper first portion 215 relative to the fixed portion 210 when the upper first portion 215 is adjusted relative to the lower second portion 220 in the lateral direction 250. This inversion may also be done with the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5B-5E (not shown) as well.

FIG. 6B is another alternative view of the embodiment of the cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5A. In FIG. 6B, only the angular contact surfaces 285 for both the movable portion 205 and the fixed portion 210 are inverted.

The above-mentioned embodiments may alternatively be described as a channel 235 comprising of spaced apart sidewalls, and at least a third wall coupling the spaced apart sidewalls, wherein the interface of the fixed portion and movable portion creates at least one principal stress point. This principal stress point is on the at least third wall wherein the third wall is angled.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments or implementations and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the any use of the terms “has,” “have,” “having,” “include,” “includes,” “including,” “comprise,” “comprises,” “comprising,” or the like, in this specification, identifies the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

The references “A” and “B” used with reference numerals herein are merely for clarification when describing multiple implementations of an apparatus.

While the above describes example embodiments of the present disclosure, these descriptions should not be viewed in a restrictive or limiting sense. Rather, there are several variations and modifications which may be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A work machine comprising: a main frame; a draft frame coupled to the main frame; a circle frame rotatably coupled to the draft frame, the circle frame rotatable by a circle drive; a blade coupled to the circle frame, the circle drive including actuators configured to move the blade; a saddle frame assembly coupled to the main frame; an actuator coupled to the saddle frame assembly, wherein movement of the actuator moves the blade relative to the main frame; the saddle frame assembly including a movable portion and a fixed portion; the movable portion including an upper first portion coupled to a lower second portion; the upper first portion with walls defining a channel configured to receive the fixed portion enabling rotation of the movable portion about the fixed portion, the channel configured to self-align the upper first portion relative to the fixed portion when the upper first portion is adjusted relative to the lower second portion in a lateral direction.
 2. The saddle frame assembly of claim 1 wherein the channel continues to self-align the upper first portion relative to the fixed portion with wear of at least a portion of an interface between the movable portion and the fixed portion.
 3. The saddle frame assembly of claim 1 wherein adjusting the upper first portion relative to the lower second portion comprises adding shims between the upper first portion and the lower second portion.
 4. The saddle frame assembly of claim 1, wherein the channel comprises spaced apart sidewalls and a round contact surface coupling the sidewalls.
 5. The saddle frame assembly of claim 1, wherein the channel comprises spaced apart sidewalls and angular contact surfaces coupling the sidewalls.
 6. The saddle frame assembly of claim 4 wherein the round contact surface of the fixed portion is blunted.
 7. The saddle frame assembly of claim 5 wherein the angular contact surfaces create one or more of a triangular channel and v-shaped channel.
 8. The saddle frame assembly of claim 1, wherein the channel comprises spaced apart sidewalls and a single dovetail contact.
 9. The saddle frame assembly of claim 1, wherein the channel comprises spaced apart sidewalls, and at least one third wall coupling the spaced apart sidewalls, wherein an interface of the fixed portion with the channel creates at least one principal stress point.
 10. The saddle frame assembly of claim 9, wherein the principal stress point is on the third wall.
 11. A work machine comprising: a main frame; a draft frame coupled to the main frame; a circle frame rotatably coupled to the draft frame, the circle frame rotatable by a circle drive mounted to the draft frame; a blade coupled to the circle frame, the circle drive including actuators configured to move the blade; a saddle frame assembly coupled to the main frame; a left lift actuator coupled to the saddle frame on a left-hand side; a right lift actuator coupled to the saddle frame on a right-hand side; wherein movement of the left lift actuator and the right lift actuator raises and lowers the left and right sides of the blade relative to the mainframe; the saddle frame assembly including a movable portion and a fixed portion; the movable portion including an upper first portion coupled to a lower second portion; the fixed portion with walls defining a channel configured to receive the upper first portion enabling rotation of the movable portion about the fixed portion, the channel configured to self-align the upper first portion relative to the fixed portion when the upper first portion is adjusted relative to the lower second portion in a lateral direction.
 12. The saddle frame assembly of claim 11 wherein the channel continues to self-align the upper first portion relative to the fixed portion with wear of at least a portion of an interface between the movable portion and the fixed portion.
 13. The saddle frame assembly of claim 11 wherein adjusting the upper first portion relative to the lower second portion comprises adding shims between the upper first portion and the lower second portion.
 14. The saddle frame assembly of claim 11 wherein the channel comprises spaced apart sidewalls and a round contact surface coupling the sidewalls.
 15. The saddle frame assembly of claim 11 wherein the channel comprises spaced apart sidewalls and angular contact surfaces coupling the sidewalls.
 16. The saddle frame assembly of claim 14, wherein the round contact surface of the fixed portion is blunted.
 17. The saddle frame assembly of claim 15, wherein the angular contact surfaces create one or more of a triangular channel and v-shaped channel.
 18. The saddle frame assembly of claim 11, wherein the channel comprises spaced apart sidewalls and a single dovetail contact.
 19. The saddle frame assembly of claim 11, wherein the channel comprises spaced apart sidewalls, and at least one third wall coupling the spaced apart sidewalls, wherein an interface of the fixed portion with the channel creates at least one principal stress point on the at least one third wall.
 20. The saddle frame assembly of claim 19, wherein the principal stress point is on the third wall. 